A year later, the Seminoles go into a home game against UF on Saturday with a 10-1 record and improvement almost across the board in every area.

None of that guarantees anything, but as a team, FSU should have much more confidence than it did before facing the Gators last year:

AVOIDING INJURIES

The Seminoles were wracked with injuries in 2011, beginning with quarterback EJ Manuel (shoulder) in the third game against Oklahoma. He missed the following week against Clemson and returned in the second half too late to save FSU the next week against Wake Forest. Just when Manuel was back, offensive linemen starting dropping like flies. The Seminoles had to shuffle the starting offensive line eight times during the season, which didn’t exactly promote continuity and consistency in trying to move the ball. It was a large part of the reason FSU gave up 41 sacks and had 425 yards worth of negative plays.

The offensive line and Manuel have stayed healthy, and the offense has operated more efficiently. The line has yielded only 21 sacks, and FSU has lost only 264 yards on negative plays. Interceptions have been cut from 12 in 2011 to six so far this season.

Hand-in-hand with a healthier offensive line has been a much more productive running attack. FSU has increased its average yards per game rushing from 112.15 yards in 2011 to 212.09 yards per game this season.

Even in the modern pass-happy offenses in college football, adding 100 yards rushing per game, on the average, is huge.

FSU had one 200-yard rushing game and six 100-yard games in 2011. This season, the Seminoles have stacked up seven 200-yard games, and with the exception of the debacle against Virginia Tech two weeks ago (minus-15 yards as a team), FSU has rushed for at least 100 yards in every game. The Seminoles’ average per rush has gone from 3.3 yards in 2011 to 5.6 yards this season.

Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr. provide a bruising one-two punch and are especially effective in the red zone. There aren’t many traditional fullbacks in college football, but Lonnie Pryor is one of the best at blocking, running and receiving.

REPLACING REID

One of the major concerns entering the season was replacing Greg Reid, the team’s most dynamic playmaker on defense and special teams, who was kicked off the team for multiple rules violations. In both areas, the Seminoles have improved without him.

Sophomore Nick Waisome has done a credible job at Reid’s field corner position and junior Xavier Rhodes has stepped up his game at the other corner.

Interceptions by FSU cornerbacks have increased from four last season to six this season.

The Seminoles also have improved across the board in every other aspect of pass defense. FSU has also improved on punt returns. Rashad Greene and Tyler Hunter have combined to return 28 punts for a 15.5 average and three touchdowns.